The Padgling Traditions of Bhutan

Gangteng Trulku line

Gangteng Tulku line from Pema Lingpa’s grandson

Gyalse Pema Thinley (1564-1642). Pema Thinley was considered a son of Dawa Gyaltshen although he was entrusted with his mother to Tenzin Drakpa, the incarnation of Pema Lingpa. A highly respected monk, Pema Thinley spent his time between Bhutan and Tibet and founded Gangteng Sa-ngag Choling among others. He died in the autumn of 1642, a few months after meeting Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan as a unified state.

Tenzin Lekpai Dondup (1645-1725). He was born in the religious family of Bonbji and recognized as the reincarnation of Pema Thinley. A leading churchman of his time, he enjoyed a close rapport with Tenzin Rabgye, the fourth Desi ruler of Bhutan and had an exciting relationship with other rulers of his days. He expanded the Gangteng temple and established the winter residence of Phuntsho Rabtenling in Chitokha. (Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple).

Thinley Namgyal alias Kunzang Pema Namgyal (1726-58). He was born in Seula in Punakha and received his education and training in Gangteng and Lhalung under his main teacher Thugse Chogdrub Palbar. (Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple).

Sizhi Namgyal (1759-90). He was born in Wang valley and received teachings from the 5th Pema Lingpa. Due to his links to the Drukpa Kagyu tradition, he is said to have introduced the tradition of performing rituals of Pema Lingpa cycle in the Drukpa Kagyu musical style. He also introduced the monastic discipline of the State Monk Body following Drukpa Kagyu in Gangteng monastery. (Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple)

Ogyen Geleg Namgyal (1791-1840). He was born in the religious family of Prakhar and was installed on the throne of Gangteng by the 6th Pema Lingpa. Not much is known about his life and works but he is said to have ensured the sustainability of the annual rituals at Gangteng monastery.(Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple)

Ogyen Tenpai Nyima (1840?-1874) He was born in the religious family of Dungkar in Kurtoe district. He studied under the 7th Pema Lingpa in Lhalung in Tibet and spent some time in retreat in Rinchen Bumpa in Kurtoe and introduced mask dances during the festival of Dungkar. (Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple)

Ogyen Tenpai Nyinjed (1875?-1900). Born in the family of Drametse, he was younger brother of Zhabdrung incarnate Jigme Chogyal and Tango Trulku Kunga Drakpa. He built a number of temples including the retreat centre of Kunzang Choling and installed the golden turret on the roof of Gangteng temple. In 1897, the Gangteng temple was seriously damaged by earthquake and he undertook its renovation in earnest. Following the completion of the renovation, he passed away in Norbugang in the presence of his brother. (Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple)

Ogyen Thinley Dorji (1906-1949). He was the son of Kunzang Thinley, the dzongpon or commissioner of Thimphu and Sangay Drolma, the sister of the previous incarnation. As he was a court officer, he is said to have introduced the dress code of the state officials among the priests in Gangteng. After some role in Bhutan’s state governance, he died in Wangdiphodrang. (Image from Gangteng Lopdra temple)

Kunzang Pema Namgyal (1955- current). He was born in the religious family of Bonbji and entered as monk in Tongsa dzong. Later, he joined Tango monastic college and Ngagyur Nyingma Institute in Mysore and studied under numerous Nyingma and Kagyu teachers. He founded the monastic college of Gangteng in 1985, rebuilt the grand Gangteng monastic complex and today runs a large network of monasteries, nunneries and retreat centres in Bhutan and number of centres in the West and East Asia. (Photograph by Karma Phuntsho)